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- Concert Review: Sabrina Carpenter - Short n' Sweet Tour in Boston, MA
She’s Short, she’s sweet, she’s Sabrina Carpenter! The artist who has been in the game for a decade and is finally getting the recognition she deserves. Isn’t that sweet? I guess so. Sabrina Carpenter is currently on her fifth tour and her first arena tour for her newest album Short n’ Sweet. Once the tour was announced, I knew in my heart I would get tickets somehow, someway for the Boston show. I signed up for presale and luckily got it, but I was at work and ultimately wasn’t able to get them. Luckily, there was a second presale and of course, I missed that too. I started to doubt that I would be able to get tickets because resale prices were insane, but I checked weekly nonetheless. It wasn’t until the week of the show I decided it wasn’t in the cards for me to go and accepted the loss. My fiancé is a huge fan of her as well and with 100% determination, he proposed that he would head to The Garden after work and wait in the box office line to try and get left over seats and I could keep checking ticket sites while I was at work, so that’s what we did. Luckily enough after a eight hours of secretly checking my phone every 30 minutes, a missed train stop, torn sweater, half twisted ankle from sprinting in doc Martens and five failed attempts at purchasing tickets that dropped in prices, I was finally able to get us and a friend tickets forty minutes before the show started. You’re probably wondering how I got ready and to the arena in that time, but that’s a story for another day. We arrived at The Garden just in time to grab some adorable merch before Sabrina went on. We rushed to our seats and were surrounded by the sweetest crowd I’ve ever been in for a concert. It was such a pure ten minutes of compliments back and forth to those around. When the lights dimmed and the crowd started cheering, the show started with an animated video of the polly pocket princess herself, Sabrina. It shows her walking into a building leading into a pre recorded video of her in a bubble bath with a narrator talking through morning routine essentials. Sabrina is reminded she is supposed to be on stage which brings us to our first live appearance of her running across the stage in a towel and running behind. She runs downstairs in the towel and opens it to reveal a stunning sparkling Victoria Secret corset. Sabrina has the same corset in select different colors and for the Boston show it was yellow! Sabrinas vision for this show was to create a fictional night where she’s getting ready before sunset, going out with friends and then having the late night chaos. The stage is designed to give a barbie house vibe with a bedroom, bathroom, main living space, stairways and a visual of a window screen. During Act 1 of the show she opens with “Taste” and walks through getting ready for whatever the night brings. The energy is high and exciting leading into “Good Graces.” Anytime I hear this song I just want to get up and dance, so being able to do that live while watching her and her incredible back up dancers perform was such a fun experience. As the energy calms from the hype of going out, she sits by a sage prop fire to sing “Slim Pickins” and then going into “Tornado Warnings” from her Previous Album “Emails I Can’t Send.” The mood starts to shift as she performs “Decode” followed by “Lie to Girls” with Sabrina playing acoustic guitar. With a background in acting she has such a strong ability to change the energy back and forth for whatever tone the song provides and it’s one of the reasons why she’s such a stellar performer. Act 1 ends on the iconic “Bed Chem” performance in the bedroom section of the set and the curtains close around the mattress giving her time for her first costume change. Act 2 is where things start to heat up with a cocktail hour vibe titled “Sabrina After Dark.” At this point we take a trip back to song of her top songs off her last album “Emails I Can’t Send.” As someone who had to work a night shift and missed her last tour, I was so ecstatic she included these gems. You could feel the energy throughout the arena as she walked out in a black cat suit and performed “Feather,” “Fast Times” and “Read Your Mind.” The dancers were theatric and added such a high level of production to the show. Since this follows a nighttime of drinking and fun, Sabrina takes a moment to be one of the girls and step away from the fun to cry in the bathroom. During this she sang “Sharpest Tool” and “Opposite” and it truly brought tears to my eyes with how raw her emotions felt. Sometimes you need to get emotional during a night of fun, and that’s okay. After leaving the bathroom she goes straight into “Because I Liked a Boy,” and I can say wholeheartedly that I have never heard a crowd sing so loud during a song before. It felt so therapeutic for all of us in the crowd to sing at the top of our lungs with Sabrina. Act 2 ends at the front of the stage with Sabrina and her dancers sitting in the red heart chatting and gossiping in between her performances of “Coincidence,” her cover of “Mamma Mia,” and “Nonsense.” I think Act 2 was my favorite moment of the show because it felt like one giant sleepover at Sabrinas where we dance, laugh, cry, scream, etc. I know it was a healing moment for a lot of us in the crowd. The 3rd and final act was short and most definitely sweet. Sabrina walked out in a two piece light pink sparkly top and long skirt to perform “Dumb & Poetic.” Sabrina is known for her beauty and I can’t begin to describe how angelic she looked entering Act 3. This was a solo performance where she stood in a spotlight as stars twinkled in the night sky behind her. This girl has pipes and hearing this song live felt so much more intimate and beautiful. “Dumb & Poetic” is hands down one of my favorite songs on her new album and after hearing it live, I hope we get a live version released at some point. In order to transition from the long skirt to the short skirt, she does a cute and silly bit where she picks a fan from the crowd to arrest with pink fuzzy handcuffs. In Boston, we won with the first female arrest of the tour! Sabrina expressed the fan was too hot that her clothes couldn’t stay on as her skirt drops to the floor leading us into her performance of “Juno.” She followed this song with “Please Please Please,” and then pretended to end the show with “Don’t Smile.” We 100% were crying thinking it was over until Sabrina wakes everyone up offering a cup of espresso leading us into the final song and the encore “Espresso.” Sabrina Carpenter’s Short n’ Sweet Tour overall felt like a huge Broadway production. The attention to detail throughout the show made me feel like I truly was watching a show on TV anticipating every scene. It’s no surprise Sabrina is the performer she is with the back ground she has, but my jaw was through the floor by the end of the show. Every member of this show left it all on the stage and they do it over and over again each night. I know getting seats at this tour feels close to impossible, but if you get the chance to go, I can promise it will be a show you’ll never forget. Sabrina is hands down one of the best performers I have ever seen and I will be saying please please please for a chance to see her again in the future. Written By Emylee Herring Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | Spotify | TikTok | YouTube *copyright not intended. Fair use act, section 107.
- Review: "Heartbreaker" - Rosetta
"Heartbreaker" is the latest release from pop newcomer Rosetta, put out on November 1st, 2024. On this track, she sings about falling for someone that everyone warns her against. Even though she knows he is a heartbreaker and she should be running in the opposite direction, he's the person that she wants to be with. The song is as sweet as it is introspective, blending lyrics that are both sassy and heartfelt honesty. If you've ever felt the same as Rosetta, make sure to add "Heartbreaker" to your streaming library as the soundtrack for your next bad romantic decision. "Heartbreaker" is a pop and rock-influenced track about falling for the person that has a reputation for breaking hearts, but hoping he will not actually turn out to be that way. It begins with an electric guitar-driven intro, before she opens up about how she is pursuing someone that her mother does not like. Rosetta expresses this experience with lines like "He's a heartbreaker / And he's all I want" and "I probably should turn around right bout now / But I won't, no, I won't." Sometimes, we know that the person we are attracted to will lead to heartbreaking consequences, but we go for it, anyway. Rosetta is an indie pop singer-songwriter from Christchurch, New Zealand. Her music blends intimate storytelling lyricism with dreamy pop melodies. She captures the experience of growing up, falling in love, and discovering yourself in a way that resonates with girls in their teens and twenties. She is just beginning her journey into the music world with her first release, "Nightshade," released last year. If you enjoyed "Heartbreaker," make sure to check out the rest of Rosetta's discography. You can also keep up with all the latest information on her and her music by following the social media link belows. Written By Sydney Gray FOLLOW ROSETTA: Instagram | Spotify | TikTok
- Review: "Whiskey" - Abbie Mac
In an upbeat new single titled “Whiskey”, Abbie Mac details the rollercoaster journey of young love. Balancing her social life and her romantic life, she tells the story of a ‘situationship’ that, during the week is nothing but a problem, but becomes true love the second a bit of whiskey is added to the scenario. Mac spent this past summer on tour, and “Whiskey” quickly became a hit with the fans. It's fun soundscape and snaps throughout the track creates an interactive and enjoyable listen, and the lyrics tell an actual story that many can relate to. This combination perfectly encapsulates the adventure of love in your 20s, and Mac’s point of view is nothing but relatable. The song starts with a country twang, and a scene where Mac gets into her lover’s truck. They very quickly get into an argument about infidelity, and end with the pre chorus, in which she sings “All my friends are so fed up / Of hearing about us / I said I want you dead but I guess”. However, by the time the weekend and start of the chorus rolls around, her point of view has changed to singing, “I guess the whiskey changed my mind / We get back together every Friday night”. She clearly is not letting this back and forth become too upsetting, however, as the song says upbeat and fun until the end. Mac is letting the situation play out as it goes, and reminding herself to have fun throughout. Abbie Mac has been making music since the age of 13, when she began to post country covers. Hailing from Derry, Northern Ireland, Mac connected to the small town twang and sense of rural community behind country music. She ties this into her own work, and seems to have mastered the Nashville twang. She has released three original singles on Spotify, along with her plethora of covers from artists such as Zach Bryan, Luke Combs, and Brooks & Dunn. Already amassing almost 30,000 monthly listeners, Mac is nothing but excited to release her first EP Take Me To Nashville soon. Make sure to follow the social medias below to stay tuned for more fun music from Abbie Mac. Written By Tessa Maddaloni FOLLOW ABBIE MAC: Instagram | Spotify | TikTok | Facebook | YouTube
- Review: "Okay" - Erika Emerson
This song, “Okay” by Erika Emerson, is a soft pop song all about trying to find how to feel okay again. Coming out of a dark time in your life, it can seem impossible to even feel any sort of “normal,” and it seems like everyone is lying when they say it’s right there waiting for you to grasp it. Erika Emerson perfectly captures this strange mix of uncertainty and hope with lyrics like “if this is normal I’ll choose it, but I’m also scared to lose it” and “they make it sound easy and I’d love to believe them,” showcasing how spending so long in the shadows can make you hesitant to trust the light. But just know, the light is just around the corner ready to be found. “Okay” is a moody, subtle song that uses soft piano melodies mixed with strong vocals to create an atmosphere that matches the darker tone of the message. Starting off quietly, with simple piano chords, you’re drawn into the song carefully, ready for the slight increase in tension with the first verse. The chorus ramps up the intensity, adding in some percussion and speeding up the pace. By the time you get to the bridge, the new tension breaks with stronger vocals and more explosive emotions. Erika Emerson ends the song with a fast return to the softness from the beginning, dropping off and leaving you perfectly hanging. Overall, this song is perfect for sad music lovers and moody playlists, meant for those who love to be in touch with their emotions and truly feel with the lyrics. Erika Emerson is an up-and-coming queer indie artist raised in Berlin with UK roots. Having found writing music as an emotional outlet, she leans heavily into feelings of sensitivity, aiming to show others that it’s empowering to embrace your own vulnerability. Her voice and sound have gained her an impressive amount of fans already, with the oscillation between fragility and power in her songs creating a uniqueness people love to listen to. Her latest single, “Okay,” marks the fifth out of nine she’s releasing monthly until her debut album drops on February 7th, 2025. Use the links below to listen to more of her music! Written By Morgan Fischer FOLLOW Erika Emerson: Instagram | Spotify | YouTube
- Review: "Monster" - Nick de la Hoyde
Mental health often feels like an uphill battle, leaving us to fight the invisible monsters that torment our thoughts. Reflecting on what plagues his mind, Nick de la Hoyde reveals a personal look into his psyche with his latest release, "Monster." The introspective track follows on the heels of his previous release, "Fate"—a collaboration with singer-songwriter Tiana Rosie . Showcasing Nick's ability to connect with his fans, "Monster" shares a raw, authentic look into struggling with mental health, giving those who feel their mind is their enemy a poignant reassurance that they are not alone. Emotive and contemplative, Nick de la Hoyde pairs his pensive narrative with a soft, thoughtful soundscape in "Monster." The track has a timeless feel, blending modern pop-rock and indie pop with 90s rock. "Monster" ebbs and flows as powerful emotions wash over our ears, moving between tender piano lines and climatic choruses of heavy guitars, bass, and drums. Nick de la Hoyde gives a masterful vocal performance, sounding reminiscent of iconic singer-songwriter Thom Yorke. Perfect for indie pop/rock enthusiasts, "Monster" would make a great addition to any playlist featuring acts like Radiohead , The Pixies , and Nothing But Thieves . A talented artist recognized across the globe, Nick de la Hoyde launched his music career in 2014, growing to reach international audiences with an intimate, engaging sound. Having achieved much, Nick has landed syncs to international TV shows and radio ads, including the likes of BBC Radio1 (UK), Sirius XM (US), Pop 40 Asia, KIIS FM, Nova, and Hit Network (AU). He has also partnered with several brands, including Seiko Watches, Hard Rock Café, Puma, Beats by Dre, Red Bull, and ASOS. Nick has received praise and recognition for several of his songs, receiving honorary mentions for his tracks "Mirror Mirror," "Love Takes Time," and "Thinking About You." Written By Cheyenne Johnson FOLLOW NICK DE LA HOYDE: Instagram | Spotify | TikTok | Facebook | YouTube
- Album Review: "behind every beautiful thing" - flora cash
Swedish and American indie pop duo, flora cash, has recently dropped their fourth studio album, "behind every beautiful thing", which plays with themes of contrast such as light and dark, sincerity and irony, hope and doubt, and heaven and hell. TRACKLIST Should've Dressed for the Event just wanna feel you Like No One Could My Ex Would've Left By Now Morning Comes Baby I Love You The Night Is Young i'm tired HOLY WATER Dragon The Builder (För J. Blom) flora cash consists of Albanian/Swedish artist Shpresa Lleshaj and American artist Cole Randall. Shpresa was born in Kosovo, but fled to Sweden with her family when she was a child. In 2012 while living in Stockholm, she met Cole online (who lived in Minneapolis) when she found his music on SoundCloud and started commenting on his posts. They met in person, and the rest is history. They began creating music together and fell in love with each other; they made up the band name flora cash , and have kept the meaning a secret to this day. The same year they met, they released their debut EP, "Mighty Fine". In 2013, they got married and have been consistently releasing music together ever since. Most notably, flora cash broke through into mainstream music in 2018 with their song "You're Somebody Else" which now has over half a billion streams on Spotify alone and is now RIAA certified platinum in the USA. That same year, they were signed to S ony Music 's RCA Records . With so many accomplishments under their belt, including being parents now, flora cash has yet to let anything stop them from continuously releasing new music that is fresh and inspiring. We're here with their fourth studio album, "behind every beautiful thing" which features 11 completely self-written and self-produced tracks for us to delve into. Let's get started. Should've Dressed for the Event We start the album with a soft, emotional and somber track titled "Should've Dressed for the Event". Featuring only Cole on vocals, this song is very haunting in it's soundscape. At the forefront is a raw piano progression, with abstract and wistful electronic production dancing around in the background. There's also moments of tender orchestral strings that really heighten the sadness. Cole sings with such passion and a unique vibrato that adds to the haunting element of this song. "Should've Dressed for the Event" seems to be about when you know the relationship you're in is over. You've grown apart so much that you're almost two completely different people than when you first met. However, the love for each other is still there and always will be; and there's still a tiny bit of hope that maybe one day, you will meet again. just wanna feel you Have you ever been with someone who makes you feel so at peace that all you want to do is freeze time and just hold them for as long as you possibly can? That's what "just wanna feel you" is about - being tired of the chaos and uncertainty of life, and just wanting to cherish the person that you love in hopes that they'll never go away. This song is a mid-tempo dark pop bop with a little bit of a hip-hop influence in it's groove and beat. The production style gives a vinyl-record type sound quality, and it's main instrument is an eerie piano line. Shpresa takes the lead, singing beautifully with raw emotion, and with Cole coming in to back her up with deeper tones. Like No One Could Even when you know you've found the right person to be with in your life, we still have these dark moments of doubt. The good thing is, we have that person to be there for us and to reassure us that we're going to be okay, and that we will always have them. "Like No One Could" touches on those topics of when negative thoughts come creeping in, but everything will be okay, because you're with someone who is going to love you forever no matter what. On this song we get to hear Cole and Shpresa duet with each other with a distorted effect, first taking turns and then coming together for the climax. I love the mixture of piano and cello here; they're doing their own thing but at the same time go beautifully together. One of my personal favorite moments is after the chorus, how Cole hums and makes his voice sound like a cello himself. Then there's this highly catchy beat that also has a hip-hop feel, giving this song an overall mainstream radio hit type of soundscape. The use of strings mixed with the modern production reminded me of some songs by Coldplay and The Chainsmokers . My Ex Would've Left By Now Have you ever felt like you're not good enough, and that your internal battles with yourself are affecting the relationship that you're in and you're scared of letting them down? "My Ex Would've Left By Now" is a message to the person you love, letting them know you would never want to lose them despite the way things may seem. You're showing your appreciation that they're even still around and being patient with you and your problems, because nobody else would be putting up with it. Cole takes the lead vocals on this one, singing gently in a whispery and heartbreaking tone. The instrumentation focuses heavily on guitar, a simple beat and some orchestral strings. Perhaps one of the most impressive things about this track is the way Cole creates this wonderous arrangement of backup vocals for himself. Sometimes you can't even tell it's a voice because it's so elaborate. Morning Comes Moving onto "Morning Comes", it continues those themes of fighting your inner demons and not feeling good enough. It's about having trouble letting go and letting love in, and not fully committing in fear of getting your heartbroken. When you've been hurt in the past, it's really hard to let people close to you again, even if part of you really wants to. The style takes more of a folk and Americana inspired approach, with bright piano keys and a pedal steel guitar played by Dakota Holden . This song has a strong drumline and a flourishing instrumentation that feels full and real. The vocals blend together with an effect that almost sounds underwater in this really cool and distorting way. Baby I Love You "Baby I Love You" has a nostalgic beat and groove, with sweet acoustic guitar, piano, sings and more of that pedal steel. This song is about when things aren't always sunshine and rainbows with the person you love, but regardless all you know is that you still love them. Sometimes that question comes up in your head, "why exactly do I love them?"; and the answer simply is, "just because I do". There is no real reason - all you know is that you feel it and you mean it. Even when things get hard, and you say or do things that you hurt one another, nothing can shake that deep fondness and care that you have for them. You can't imagine life without them, because you've already imagined a future where they're always by your side. Cole sings in a smooth and tender tone within this song, matching the loving aura of the soundscape. The Night Is Young "The Night Is Young" is an alternative pop track, with experimental and electronic elements that create this immersive sonic experience. Shpresa sings in a bright tone, with a layer of a higher pitched version of the melody in unison. The overall soundscape is very ethereal, almost spiritual in it's nature. The lyrics are very cryptic, but my interpretation is that there's someone in this person's life that is always trying to bring negative energy into their life, but they want to live freely and embrace life to it's fullest. Simply put, never let anybody bring you down and do whatever makes you the happiest. The refrain is repeated like a mantra; "the night is young, and people won't stop doing the things, doing the things they love". i'm tired Long term relationships can take a toll on you, especially when issues you have go unresolved for too long. The repeated disappointed and lack of interest wears you down until you almost become numb. You start to feel this emotional fatigue, and even though deep down you'll always have love for this person, you start to stop caring to the point that any little sudden wrong movement could be the end of it all. "i'm tired" is about being on this edge of leaving and being exhausted in the lost connection of a relationship. This song is so simply put together in the most catchy way. The addicting beat is paired with two handed dueling rhythm piano chords and an acoustic guitar riff that is permanently stuck in my head. Cole and Shpresa sing the melody together in unison an octave away from each other. The soundscape is dark and haunting, yet danceable at the same time. HOLY WATER If you're lucky enough to have experienced a love like described in "HOLY WATER", then you just might've found what people like to call a soulmate . Have you ever met someone at the most perfect time in your life, and it felt like it was meant to be? Almost like they saved you when you needed it the most, and you did the same for them? That's what "HOLY WATER" is all about - when it feels like your two souls were destined to meet and to be together, and now everything in life is better because you have them and they have you. The soundscape here is powerful, heavenly and has classical tones. The piano and orchestral strings stand out and are paired with heavy, cinematic drums. Shpresa shows off her soft, angelic side, showing just how diverse her voice is. The song is executed in such a wonderous way that feels spiritual and divine, just like it's name. Dragon "Dragon" is about how we live in a world full of blissful ignorance, and with people who blind themselves from reality by self-medicating with alcohol and drugs; but for those who don’t live in delusion and face the reality we live in, it really affects our mental health. However, there’s many days that we don’t show it. We mask our true feelings with fake smiles, pretending like everything is okay amidst the choas that is clearly displayed right in front of our eyes. All we want is another out there who understands us, who we can share these dark feelings with. “Dragon” uses a gentle electric guitar as it’s core instrument. A picking pattern is played through out with a noteable pounding drum. Between the varieties of cinematic and Celtic-like percussion choices and Cole’s chanty vocals, this song has more of a folk rock approach. The Builder (För J. Blom) “The Builder”, and the closing track on this album is a stunning, orchestral instrumental dedicated in the memory of Hans Johan Blom, a builder and a friend to flora cash. The song features Djordje Milanovic and Yoed Nir, who contributed with viola, violin and cello. The song not only is to honor builders and their under appreciated trade as well as their friend, but the immense grief that came along with losing him too soon. They used tools such as hammers, saws and bricks as percussion instruments to really emphasis the meaning of this song, which I thought was such a clever and beautiful detail. As the song progresses, you start to notice how it builds and intensifies in emotion. You can feel the pain that flora cash was going through when they lost their friend and when they were writing this music. It’s crazy how sometimes you don’t need words to express how you’re feeling and for others to understand exactly what you’re trying to convey. flora cash is one of the most unique and diverse pop artists we have today and in the best way possible. There isn't a single song that sounds the same on this album, but each one is perfectly crafted to catch your attention and written in a way that connects and relates with common society. There's everything from commercial pop, dark and experimental production, folk, hip-hop beats, and even classical and cinematic themes. I love the way Cole and Shpresa are able to impressively and uniquely alter their vocal tones to match whatever emotion, style and atmosphere their singing in. Both their creative and personal chemistry together is undeniable and it shines through so strong in their music. The raw emotion in every song is so powerful, it grasps you and it's impossible to ignore. Perhaps one of the best things about the songs on this album and about flora cash as as artists all together is how honest they are. Those conflicting and contrasting feelings that we fight in our heads as humans every day; they're realistic and they're not talked about enough. "behind every beautiful thing" is exactly what people need to hear. If you loved this album, flora cash has an incredibly impressive discography that I suggest you dive into. Also, make sure to follow them on their socials below to keep up with them. There's no stopping them anytime soon! Written By Kaitlyn Nicole FOLLOW FLORA CASH: Instagram | Facebook | Spotify | TikTok | YouTube *Sponsored Post - Discovered on SubmitHub. A contribution was made to help create this article as part of a promotional campaign.
- Review: "Not Another Valentine" - WE ARE AVA
Have you ever had a deep platonic connection with someone but the lines start to become blurred? Friendships are incredibly fulfilling when you find people you connect with on such a deep level, but it gets complicated quick if romantic feelings start to develop. It’s hard when it happens time and time again and you have to start putting up walls to protect the relationship that’s already laid out. WE ARE AVA is an Indie Pop Group that released their new single “Not Another Valentine” about losing friends due to misread situations and confusing feelings. WE ARE AVA consists of members Andy, Nicola and Kim who create dreamy synth tracks with vulnerable yet catchy lyrics. “Not Another Valentine” is featured on their newest album “Radix” that was released back in August. This song has layers of complicated emotion wrapped together with lighthearted instrumentation and production. Due to an emergency situation where WE ARE AVA’s producer fell ill, they had only four days to write and produce “Not Another Valentine” themselves. It is no easy task creating a song that quickly and it’s why it holds such a special place in their heart. When writing, they channeled all the frustration that comes with losing friends due to emerging romantic feelings. Lyrically this song holds a lot of guilt and mourning what could’ve been if lines hadn’t been crossed. “Not again, not another valentine, lost a friend, told you not to cross the line.” After being intimate with someone, it’s almost impossible to reverse the clock and go back to the way things were. You essentially have to accept the loss and move on, “We’ve ruined everything, we’ve built up and I can’t even be mad, wish I could. ” WE ARE AVA made the perfect track for those who easily hold guilt over past relationships but search for that carefree feeling. WE ARE AVA is a indie synth-pop group from eastern Switzerland with members Andy, Nicola and Kim. They’ve been making music together since 2018, and write to cope with existing through all the good and bad that comes with growing up. With a huge knack for creating dreamy tunes, they are heavily inspired by synth music and all the sound possibilities they can create. Over their time together, they have released multiple singles and two albums including their most recent one “Radix.” With over 110 live performances, the group has had a lot of success captivating their audience. Both of their albums landed a spot on the Top 50 Swiss album charts which is a huge accomplishment. WE ARE AVA is a group you need to check out if you love warm synth heavy music with raw lyrics. They are going on tour for “Radix” so check the links below to see if they’ll be playing a show near you. Written By Emylee Herring FOLLOW WE ARE AVA: Instagram | Spotify | TikTok | Facebook | YouTube
- Review: "Got No Strings" - Aiida
“Got No Strings” by Aiida is a liberating song capturing a feeling of post-breakup confidence. Detailing the way the speaker fought for the relationship, it’s clear that the struggle and effort she put into her ex took its toll. The lyrics shed self-conscious thoughts and take a dive into having fun. The song enjoys the relief of being single and say “I don’t need love, I need a drink.” After you have lost the weight of a significant other whose existence brings you down, it’s easier to see how brilliant you are on your own. Bold and honest lyrics like “nothing’s missing without you” bring you into a world of post-breakup bliss that will make your confidence soar. Bask in the glory of being single through the independence and relief in this track. A dark pop song with swagger, “Got No Strings” will make you want to dance along with its intense and powerful sound. This exciting tune kicks off with intense introduction of violin and tearful speaking. Aiida’s powerful vocals carry an edgy confidence, and supported by simple piano chords, they express the anger and emotion felt in the lyrics as each line descends in pitch. The chorus picks up a rhythmic tone in the singing and energized pulsing electronic percussion. Aiida’s voice shows off her beautiful range as she touches on high notes in the chorus, lifts you through background vocals, and brings a cool and comfortable tone to low notes. Aiida is a Norwegian singer and songwriter with a distinctive attitude-infused sound. She brings her authentic identity into her music, including themes of queerness, as well as letting parts of her Norwegian and Albanian culture influence her sound. Listeners love the bold messages and female power she puts behind her meaningful lyrics. She has performed at various events including Washashore Music Festival , Lollapalooza , and Oslo Pride . Aiida's bold and powerful pop style has earned her songs spots on plenty of Spotify playlists like New Music Friday Norway and GRL PWR. Check out the links below to learn more about her music. Written By Hanna Kowal FOLLOW AIIDA: Instagram | Spotify | TikTok | Facebook | YouTube
- Review: "This Body" - Ellena Li
Growing up a girl can be hard. Our bodies feel complicated to us as we grow and stretch into the person we are destined to be. The stares from men, the impertinent comments we receive from others, the judgmental eyes that make us feel insignificant and small. We start to almost share a sense of disdain for our bodies, almost as if our bodies aren’t enough, no matter the efforts we execute in hopes we will someday achieve that sense of relief and acceptance we are searching for. Many of us struggle with our self-image and worth, and the media can truly make us feel as though the efforts we put into ourselves are never enough. It’s never enough to satisfy the itch we have to change our appearance to fit the arbitrary and nearly impervious standards that remain unachievable. It’s so easy for us to fall into the inextricable web of insecurities as we are more often likely to be comparing ourselves rather than embracing the unique attributes that make us distinctive and characterize us for who we truly are. Although it’s difficult for many young girls now to feel confident in their own skin with the new standards that permeate social media– it is imperative that we remind younger generations to welcome their special qualities. “This Body” by Ellena Li is a beautifully written song that serves as our reminder to embrace ourselves. A lot of us can fall into false perceptions depicted by media outlets, however, Ellena was able to create such a beautiful piece of music that stands out from the rest of the music released nowadays. It’s a sound so delicate and harmonious– suitable for the struggles many people face. The lyrics themselves carry vehemency that so talentedly describes the whirlwind of emotive sentiments a plethora of us face. With lyrics like “I feel small but so are stars from a distance”, and, one that truly claws at hearts, “Don’t set yourself on fire to keep others warm”. “This Body” is so phenomenally crafted, and will certainly conciliate the hearts of those with a painful ache that laments in silence. The sound of the soft guitar is enough to resonate deep within our hearts, pulling us into this melancholic and reflective state as the lyrics begin to settle in, encouraging forlorn emotions. Ellena’s voice acts as yet another mellifluous instrument that further tells a story of self-acceptance and the hardships young women face in this world of deception and judgment. Again, I admire this song and Ellena’s courage to sing about such a delicate topic that haunts most people of the younger generation. I can relate to this song in so many aspects, and it offers me a sense of comfort to know that I’m not the only person who deals with hardships that involve self-acceptance. Despite the song carrying such a sad tune, it’s such an empowering song dedicated to all people who need a reminder or to those who are having a moment of weakness and need something to motivate and console their sentiments. Ellena Li, the talented artist behind such a phenomenal song, is a Canadian musician, who is just 14 years old! Despite her young age, Ellena has countless awards and recognitions that illustrate the pure dedication she has for music and creating sounds that resonate with the hearts of her listeners, looking to create more songs that include messages that touch up on body positivity, mental health, and self-empowerment. Currently, Ellena has organized charity concerts where she supports campaigns that mean something to her. Utilizing her musical talents for something inspirational which can only further encourage people to use their voices for good. Ellena hopes to inspire, connect, and build a community around her works of charity and the encouraging messages she has embedded in the lyrics of her music. She hopes to gain more recognition and opportunities throughout her campaign so that she may continue to perform and create collaborations that will further prompt her journey as a musician. I cannot wait to hear more of Ellena’s music and watch as her career progresses! To keep up with Ellena, follow her socials! Written By Rosalyn Sanchez FOLLOW ELLENA LI: Instagram | Spotify | TikTok | YouTube
- Review: "I Don't Feel Like Talking" - Eline Høyer
"I Don't Feel Like Talking" by Eline Høyer is a message to an ex who did the speaker wrong, and it will empower you with a feeling of control. The lyrics take us through the situation of an ex treating the speaker poorly before moving on to an inspiring complete shut down of any contact with that person. With words like "I'd never stoop this low, not for anybody", this track invites you to shut down any negativity coming at you. The song sets a bold example of how it is not your responsibility to hear someone out when they have hurt you. If anyone is trying to chip away at your time when they have already hurt you, just blast this song and dance along with the liberating and self-assured music. Piano and Eline's breathy and enchanting vocals make this intense and empowering track so distinctly bold. The track has a dance pop sound, and blends electronic instrumentals with percussion to create a feeling of power. With a softer sound through the verses that will have you transfixed, Eline's singing holds a groovy narrative expression that makes you want to hang on to every word. The flood of louder vocals and instrumentals that come through the chorus feel like they are drowning out any any possible response to the message the lyrics convey. The all-encompassing sound of this track embodies its meaning through its immersive style. Eline Høyer is a Norwegian artist who supports a soulful acoustic folk-pop style in her singing and songwriting. Her music touches on deep and meaningful themes of sadness and inner strength. Eline's musical journey started early, with her father's guitarist influence inspiring her. She participated in Norway's Got Talent, making it to the semi-finals, and won MTV Swatch Playground's Travelling in Time competition. She collaborates with other artists like DEVOL on the song "Come with Me" and Josh Bisama on the song "Denial". Over the years, she has performed at popular venues like KICK Nattklubb & Kick Scene . Check out the links below to listen to her music! Written By Hanna Kowal FOLLOW ELINE: Instagram | Spotify | TikTok | Facebook | YouTube
- Review: "Forget Me Not" - Mila Ziska
"Forget Me Not" by Mila Ziska is a beautiful way to wrap love around loss, and appreciate the beauty in life. The song was written to honor Mila's grandmother who has Alzheimer's. Memory loss feels impossible to deal with, and all you can do is be there for that person. Using flowers to represent life itself, the lyrics allow nature to help support the idea that life grows and wilts, and can still be beautiful. This song expresses the wonder of connection with the lyrics "I am you in so many ways, eyes and hair and a laugh that sings," leaving you with that touching feeling that even when someone you love can't remember you, their being still remains strong in who you are. As someone who is in the same situation with my grandmother's dementia, I was struck with the weight of this song. It recognizes the difficulty of the situation, allowing comparisons to flowers to help the acceptance. The message that this song brings made me feel supported. My grandmother has always grown forget-me-nots in her garden, and in Mila's whimsical, natural lyricism, she has managed to capture a wonderful thing about someone I love. The lyrics ask "just please forget me not," and the heartbreaking truth is that we cannot control what is and isn't remembered. These words represent a hope we can't help but hold onto. Ending with resolved words of comfort, the song says "I'll be you even when my eyes become those you don't recognize." Even though life takes painful journeys, "Forget Me Not" reminds us that in trying times, you can still find warmth in connection and the impression people you love have made. With bright finger picking and Mila's gentle vocals, this comforting track supports its delicate message. Soft vocalizing sounds before the lyrics begin, acting as a soothing opening to its deeply impactful message. Her voice is light, softly working through the verse and metasomatically stretching lyrics. The singing through the chorus reaches high notes, bringing an expressive intense emotion to the words. Violin joins in after the first chorus, bringing a soothing sound to the track. As the message of this song is so full of vulnerability, its sound acts as a soft and supportive tune that will help you connect to its meaning. Mila Ziska is a folk-pop artist from Germany. Her poetic lyricism stands out with moving influences like mother nature, the city life from her childhood, and beauty in the world itself. Her natural songwriting skills are enhanced by her studies at the British and Irish Modern Music Institute . Adventure liv es in her soul, and Mila takes on her experiences of travel—having explored upwards of 35 countries —and uses them in her music. Her soulful and whimsical musical style resonates with many across the globe, earning her songs hundreds of thousands of streams worldwide. Check out the links below to experience the adventurous spirit that lives in her music. Written By Hanna Kowal FOLLOW MILA: Instagram | Spotify | TikTok | Facebook | YouTube
- Review: "Anymore" - Paige Corwin
“Anymore” is the newest single by Paige Corwin , a song about trying to move on from a past relationship. When you miss your ex, you long for what you once had with them, and are upset that you can’t be with them anymore. Knowing that the love you had for each other has gone away is heartbreaking. Corwin is trying to move on but she still has feelings as she thinks about how this person used to be a big part of her life, and how they used to spend a lot of time together and now don’t at all. She calls the relationship “the best thing” because it used to mean so much to her, and it still does, as she wonders what went wrong for her and her ex to have broken up. Inspired by 80s and modern pop and disco music, despite the content of its lyrics, “Anymore” is an upbeat dance song. Not only is the single filled with fun and colorful synths, but they are mixed in with piano chords, which travel throughout the song. The stuttering and rapid drums add intensity to the song’s overall vibe. During the verses, the production is muffled to amplify Corwin’s talented singing voice, but then the tempo increases and the production becomes louder during the chorus, with her vocals now matching this. After the second chorus, the song slowly crescendos into an almost fully instrumental outro, which is very reminiscent of club music. Paige Corwin is a singer-songwriter based in New York, and originally from Rhode Island. She began releasing music in 2020 with her debut single “Mr. Critic”, after discovering a passion for making music, changing career paths after college. In 2023, she released her debut EP Insomnia . On her YouTube channel, she has covered several popular artists. She has been named in multiple music magazines for her outstanding artistry. She has also released other amazing songs in addition to her debut, her EP, and “Anymore”, including “Deep End”, “Sorry Anthem”, and “Planes”. Paige Corwin is an amazing and very talented music artist! Written By Ashley Adams FOLLOW PAIGE CORWIN: Instagram | Spotify | TikTok | Facebook | YouTube


















